Jump to content

Echinopsis

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Valerophenone (talk | contribs) at 23:53, 26 May 2011 (moved info from bridgesii entry because it did not refer specifically to bridgesii but rather to the genus). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Echinopsis
Echinopsis spachiana
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Plantae
(unranked):
Angiosperms
(unranked):
Eudicots
(unranked):
Core eudicots
Order:
Caryophyllales
Family:
Cactaceae
Subfamily:
Cactoideae
Tribe:
Trichocereeae
Genus:
Echinopsis

Species

around 180, see text

Echinopsis is a large genus of cacti native to South America, sometimes known as hedgehog cacti, sea-urchin cactus or Easter lily cactus. One small species, E. chamaecereus, is known as the peanut cactus. The 128 species range from large and treelike types to small globose cacti. The name derives from echinos hedgehog or sea urchin, and opsis appearance, a reference to these plants' dense coverings of spines.

Echinopsis is distinguished from Echinocactus by the length of the flower tube,[citation needed] from Cereus by the form and size of their stems,[citation needed] and from both in the position on the stem occupied by the flowers. They are remarkable for the great size, length of tube, and beauty of their flowers, which, borne upon generally small and dumpy stems, appear much larger and more attractive than would be expected.

Distribution

Echinopsis species are native to South America (Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Brazil, Ecuador, Paraguay and Uruguay). They grow only in situations where the soil is sandy or gravelly, or on the sides of hills in the crevices of rocks.

Cultivation

The growing and resting seasons for Echinopsis are the same as for Echinocactus.[citation needed] Research by J. Smith (former Curator at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew) showed that species like the Chilean Echinopsis cristata and its Mexican relatives thrive if potted in light loam, with a little leaf mould and a few nodules of limestone. The limestone keeps the soil open; it is important that the soil should be well drained. In winter, water must be given very sparingly, and the atmosphere should be dry; the temperature need not exceed 10°C during the night, and in very cold weather it may be allowed to fall to 5°C, provided a higher temperature of 14°C is maintained during the day. In spring, the plants should receive the full influence of the increasing warmth of the sun; and during hot weather, they will be benefited by frequent spraying overhead, which should be done in the evening. The soil should never be saturated, as the soft fibrous roots will rot if kept wet for any length of time.

None of the species need to be grafted to grow freely and remain healthy, as the stems are all robust enough and of sufficient size to take care of themselves. The only danger is in keeping the plants too moist in winter, for although a little water now and again keeps the stems fresh and green, it deprives them of that rest which is essential to the development of their large, beautiful flowers in summer.

Medicinal Use

Several cacti in the genus Echinopsis have been demonstrated to contain the psychedelic alkaloid mescaline and have a long history of traditional use for psychotherapeutic, spiritual, and medicinal purposes. An unknown species in the genus Echinopsis, likely to be pachanoi or bridgesii, called "The Cactus of the Four Winds" is said to have potently psychedelic effects. Though this cactus contains four ribs it must also be noted that cacti in the genus Echinopsis often change their rib configurations with some alternating between a 4 to 6 rib configuration. Modern analysis hasn't yet shown any link between the number of ribs and alkaloid content. The suggestion of a squared (4 ribbed) plant is "more powerful" might be entirely metaphorical and relate to a native cultural value vs alkaloid content.

Taxonomy changes

Studies in the 1970s and 1980s resulted in several formerly separate genera being absorbed into Echinopsis:

2

Some have proposed merging Rebutia as well.

Like several other taxonomic changes in Cactaceace, this one has not been universally liked and accepted by amateur and professional growers; names like Echinopsis (in the older sense), Lobivia, Setiechinopsis and Trichocereus are still in common use, while many of the others listed above fell out of common usage long before the change.

The taxonomic changes have been criticised by K. Trout, in particular the inclusion of the genus Trichocereus, and the formation of a huge, complex new genus without an accompanying monograph. Some problems also arose due to namespace collision when this merger was made. Most notably, there had previously existed both Echinopsis bridgesii and Trichocereus bridgesii, which are very different plants. Echinopsis bridgesii is a short clumping cactus, whereas Trichocereus bridgesii is a tall columnar cactus similar to E. (or T.) pachanoi. Under the new classification, Trichocereus bridgesii is known as Echinopsis lageniformis.

Species

Note: some of the species listed below may be synonyms, subspecies, or varieties of others.

Template:Multicol

Template:Multicol-break

Template:Multicol-end

Many hybrids exist, mostly between similar species but also between more distinct ones, such as the cross between E. pachanoi and E. eyriesii which was sold under the name "Trichopsis pachaniesii" by Sacred Succulents.

  • Echinopsis cristata var. purpurea Plate number 4521 from Curtis's Botanical Magazine
    Echinopsis cristata var. purpurea

    Plate number 4521 from Curtis's Botanical Magazine

  • Echinopsis eyriesii visited by a European honeybee; Kfar Blum Kibbutz garden, Israel.
    Echinopsis eyriesii visited by a European honeybee; Kfar Blum Kibbutz garden, Israel.
  • Echinopsis huascha Botanical Garden Meran
    Echinopsis huascha Botanical Garden Meran
  • Echinopsis chiloensis
    Echinopsis chiloensis
  • Echinopsis ferox c-3311
    Echinopsis ferox c-3311
  • Echinopsis Thelegona
    Echinopsis Thelegona
  • Echinopsis backebergii
    Echinopsis backebergii
  • Echinopsis bruchii
    Echinopsis bruchii
  • Echinopsis oxygona
    Echinopsis oxygona
  • Echinopsis yuquina
    Echinopsis yuquina

General references

  • Edward F. Anderson, The Cactus Family (Timber Press, 2001) ISBN 0-88192-498-9, pp. 255–286
  • K. Trout, Trout's Notes on San Pedro & related Trichocereus species (Sacred Cacti 3rd ed. Part B) (Moksha Press, 2005) ISBN 0-9770876-0-3
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Echinopsis.
Wikispecies has information related to Echinopsis.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Echinopsis&oldid=431095684"